Projection display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A projection display apparatus includes a light valve that modulates illuminating light on the basis of image data to output the modulated light, an illuminating unit including a light source, and a plurality of optical members for illumination that generate the illuminating light on the basis of light from the light source to guide the illuminating light to the light valve, a projection lens that projects the modulated light from the light valve on a projection surface, and allows detection light to enter from a direction opposite to a travelling direction of the modulated light, and an imaging device that is disposed at a location optically conjugated with the light valve, and allows the detection light to enter through the projection lens. The plurality of optical members for illumination have optical property of reducing a noise component that affects the detection light and arises inside the illuminating unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/325,675, filed Jan. 11, 2017, which is aNational Stage of PCT/JP2015/067611, filed Jun. 18, 2015, and claims thebenefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application JP2014-153406, filed Jul. 29, 2014, the entire content of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a projection display apparatus having afunction of detecting an object on a projection surface or in thevicinity thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, in a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or any othersimilar mobile apparatus, the use of a touch panel has made it possibleto perform page scrolling or zooming and shrinking of images beingdisplayed on a screen through pointing operation in response to humanintuition. Meanwhile, a display apparatus that displays images byprojecting them on a screen has been known as a projector over theyears.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

[PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-3859

[PTL 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2007-52218

[PTL 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2003-44839

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, also in the projector, it has been desired to performthe pointing operation of projected images in such a manner that thetouch panel is manipulated manually in response to the human intuitionlike the tablet terminal, or any other similar mobile apparatus. Inparticular, a small-sized projector of a handheld type has recentlyemerged in the market, and accordingly, it has been desired to performthe pointing operation of images being projected in a size ranging fromabout 20 inches to about 30 inches on a projection area. However, notouch panel is built into a screen or a wall on which images areprojected, and therefore, it is necessary to detect manual operationusing other means. Alternatively, apart from such a method, there aresome projectors that enable images to be manipulated by operating, forexample, a remote controller. However, the small-sized projector itselfis small in size, and it would not be stylish to operate the small-sizedprojector using, for example, the remote controller.

PTL 1 proposes an apparatus that enables the pointing operation ofimages with coverage of the projection area by combining a projectorwith a detector that detects manual operation (gesture). However, in theapparatus proposed in PTL 1, a projector unit and a detector unit areseparately configured as independent units. This easily results in anincrease in size of a whole system. Further, in addition to the increasein size, calibration operation involving accuracy is also necessary interms of, for example, a configuration of relative positionalcoordinates of an area being projected and an area to be detected. Thecalibration accuracy is important because it has a direct influence onthe accuracy of the pointing operation. The calibration is cumbersomebecause it is necessary to deal with every corner of a screen.

PTL 2 and PTL 3 propose apparatuses that add an imaging function to aprojector. However, in the apparatus proposed in PTL 3, light flux froma light source such as an ultrahigh-pressure mercury lamp is made toenter a polarization converter element that adjusts such light flux to aspecific polarization component. The resultant polarization component isguided to a light valve. In this kind of polarization converter element,however, a component that has not been converted into the specificpolarization component may enter an imaging device instead of the lightvalve. Accordingly, imaging may be affected by illuminating light forprojection. Alternatively, if a dedicated polarization converter elementfor imaging use is added to avoid such a disadvantage, a projection lensbecomes larger in size. Therefore, such a method is not suitable forpractical use. On the contrary, in the apparatus proposed in PTL 2, theilluminating light is turned off in the imaging. This prevents theimaging from being affected by the illuminating light, without addingthe dedicated polarization converter element for imaging. However,because the illuminating light is turned off in the imaging, when theapparatus is used under, for example, dark external environment, it isdifficult to assure sufficient brightness necessary for the imaging.Therefore, the apparatus has restrictions in use as an apparatus that isoften used under dark environment like a projector.

It is therefore desirable to provide a projection display apparatus thatmakes it possible to improve accuracy of object detection.

A projection display apparatus according to an embodiment of thedisclosure includes: a light valve that modulates illuminating light ona basis of image data to output the modulated light; an illuminatingunit including a light source, and a plurality of optical members forillumination that generate the illuminating light on a basis of lightfrom the light source to guide the illuminating light to the lightvalve; a projection lens that projects the modulated light from thelight valve on a projection surface, and allows detection light to enterfrom a direction opposite to a travelling direction of the modulatedlight; and an imaging device that is disposed at a location opticallyconjugated with the light valve, and allows the detection light to enterthrough the projection lens. One or more of the plurality of opticalmembers for illumination have optical property of reducing a noisecomponent. The noise component affects the detection light and arisesinside the illuminating unit.

In the projection display apparatus according to the embodiment of thedisclosure, the noise component is reduced by the one or more of theplurality of optical members for illumination. The noise componentaffects the detection light and arises inside the illuminating unit.

According to the projection display apparatus of the embodiment of thedisclosure, the noise component is reduced by the one or more of theplurality of optical members for illumination. The noise componentaffects the detection light and arises inside the illuminating unit.Hence, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the object detection.

It is to be noted that some effects described here are not necessarilylimitative, and any of other effects described herein may be achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an overallconfiguration of a projection display apparatus according to an exampleembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an external view illustrating an example of a state whereimage display and object detection are performed in the projectiondisplay apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a statewhere the projection display apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 is viewedfrom a lateral side direction.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part that illustrates anexample of light entering a light valve and an imaging device.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a concept ofthe image display and the object detection.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example where a noisecomponent arising inside an illuminating unit is reduced by a seconddichroic prism.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram illustrating an example of opticalproperty of the second dichroic prism.

FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram illustrating an example of wavelengthcharacteristics of a detection signal and the noise component.

FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram illustrating an example where thenoise component is reduced.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part that illustrates amodification example where a polarizing beam splitter is used as apolarization split element.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a main part that illustrates asecond example where the noise component is reduced.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a main part that illustrates athird example where the noise component is reduced.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a main part that illustrates afourth example where the noise component is reduced.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a main part that illustrates afifth example where the noise component is reduced.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration exampleof an illuminating unit provided with a single light source.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration exampleof the light source.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram illustrating the light sourceillustrated in FIG. 16 as viewed from light-output-surface side.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another configurationexample of the light source.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram illustrating the light sourceillustrated in FIG. 18 as viewed from the light-output-surface side.

FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram illustrating another configurationexample of the light source illustrated in FIG. 18.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following, some embodiments of the disclosure are described indetail with reference to the drawings. It is to be noted thatdescription is given in the following order.

1. Example Embodiment of Projection Display Apparatus Having DetectionFunction (FIGS. 1 to 9)

1.1 Configuration

1.2 Operation and Workings

1.2.1 Basic Operation

1.2.2 Workings of Polarizer

1.2.3 Regarding Reduction in Noise Component Arising inside IlluminatingUnit

1.3 Effects

2. Modification Examples

2.1 First Modification Example (FIG. 10)

2.2 Second Modification Example (FIG. 11)

2.3 Third Modification Example (FIG. 12)

2.4 Fourth Modification Example (FIG. 13)

2.5 Fifth Modification Example (FIG. 14)

2.6 Sixth Modification Example (FIG. 15, and FIGS. 16 to 20)

2.7 Seventh Modification Example

2.8 Other Modification Examples

3. Other Example Embodiments

1. EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT OF PROJECTION DISPLAY APPARATUS HAVING DETECTIONFUNCTION 1.1 Configuration

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an overall configuration of aprojection display apparatus (projector) according to an exampleembodiment of the disclosure. The projection display apparatus may havea function of performing object detection actively using near-infraredlight, along with video image display. FIG. 2 illustrates an example ofa state where video image display and object detection are performed inthe projection display apparatus. FIG. 3 illustrates an example of astate where the projection display apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 isviewed from a lateral side direction. FIG. 4 illustrates an example oflight entering a light valve 21 and an imaging device 22 in theprojection display apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 schematicallyillustrates a concept of the video image display and the objectdetection performed by the projection display apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 1, the projection display apparatus may include anilluminating unit 1, a light valve 21, an imaging device 22, a wire grid27 that may serve as a polarization split element, a projection lens 24,a polarizer 25S that may serve as a polarizing member, an imageprocessor 26, and an illumination controller 29.

The illuminating unit 1 may output illuminating light L1 from a firstdirection Z1 toward the wire grid 27, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Theilluminating unit 1 includes a light source, and a plurality of opticalmembers for illumination that generate the illuminating light L1 on thebasis of light from the light source to guide the illuminating light L1to the light valve 21. The light source may include a plurality of lightsources that are disposed on different optical paths. The illuminatingunit 1 may also include an optical path combination element thatcombines two or more of the optical paths on which respective two ormore light sources of the plurality of light sources are disposed.

In a more specific example, the illuminating unit 1 may include a bluelaser 11B, a green laser 11G, and a red laser 11R, as the plurality oflight sources that are disposed on the different optical paths. Theilluminating unit 1 may also include, as the plurality of opticalmembers for illumination, a first coupling lens 12B, a second couplinglens 12G, a third coupling lens 12R, a driving optical element 14, amirror 18, a first dichroic prism 131, a second dichroic prism 132, afirst fly-eye lens 151, a second fly-eye lens 152, a first condenserlens 161, a second condenser lens 162, a third condenser lens 163, and afourth condenser lens 164.

The blue laser 11B is a laser light source that may emit blue light witha wavelength of about 450 nm, for example. The green laser 11G is alaser light source that may emit green light with a wavelength of about520 nm, for example. The red laser 11R is a laser light source that mayemit red light with a wavelength of about 640 nm, for example.

The illumination controller 29 may perform a light emission control of afirst light source (for example, the blue laser 11B), a second lightsource (for example, the green laser 11G), and a third light source (forexample, the red laser 11R). For example, the illumination controller 29may perform the light emission control of each of the first to thirdlight sources in a field sequential method.

The second coupling lens 12G may be a lens (coupling lens) thatcollimates the green light outputted from the green laser 11G (intoparallel light) to couple the resultant light to the first dichroicprism 131. Similarly, the first coupling lens 12B may be a lens(coupling lens) that collimates the blue light outputted from the bluelaser 11B to couple the resultant light to the first dichroic prism 131.Further, the third coupling lens 12R may be a lens (coupling lens) thatcollimates the red light outputted from the red laser 11R to couple theresultant light to the second dichroic prism 132. It is to be noted thatin one preferable example, these coupling lenses 12R, 12G, and 12B maycollimate their respective entering laser light (into the parallellight).

Each of the first dichroic prism 131 and the second dichroic prism 132may serve as the optical path combination element that combines the twoor more of the optical paths on which the respective two or more lightsources are disposed. The first dichroic prism 131 may be a prism thatselectively transmits the blue light entering through the first couplinglens 12B, while selectively reflecting the green light entering throughthe second coupling lens 12G. The second dichroic prism 132 may be aprism that selectively transmits the blue light and the green lightoutputted from the first dichroic prism 131, while selectivelyreflecting the red light entering through the third coupling lens 12R.Thus, color synthesis (optical path combination) relative to the redlight, the green light, and the blue light may be carried out.

The driving optical element 14 may be an optical element that reducesspeckle noise and an interference pattern in the illuminating light L1,and be disposed on an optical path between the first condenser lens 161and the second condenser lens 162. The driving optical element 14 mayvibrate minimally in a direction along an optical axis or in a verticaldirection relative to the optical axis, for example, to vary a state ofpassing-through light flux, thereby allowing for reduction in thespeckle noise and the interference pattern in the illuminating light L1.

Each of the first fly-eye lens 151 and the second fly-eye lens 152 maybe an optical member (integrator) in which a plurality of lenses arearranged two-dimensionally on a substrate, and spatially divide enteringlight flux, depending on arrangement of the plurality of lenses, tooutput the resultant light flux. The first fly-eye lens 151 may bedisposed on an optical path between the second dichroic prism 132 andthe first condenser lens 161. The second fly-eye lens 152 may bedisposed on an optical path between the second condenser lens 162 andthe third condenser lens 163. Uniformization of distribution of anin-plane light quantity may be attained by the first fly-eye lens 151and the second fly-eye lens 152.

The mirror 18 may be an element that bends an optical path of theilluminating light L1. The mirror 18 may be disposed on an optical pathbetween the first condenser lens 161 and the driving optical element 14.The first condenser lens 161 may be a lens that collects the lightoutputted from the first fly-eye lens 151 to make the resultant lightenter the driving optical element 14 through the mirror 18. The secondcondenser lens 162 may be a lens that collects the light outputted fromthe driving optical element 14 to make the resultant light enter thesecond fly-eye lens 152.

Each of the third condenser lens 163 and the fourth condenser lens 164may be a lens that collects the light outputted from the second fly-eyelens 152 to output the resultant light, as the illuminating light L1,toward the wire grid 27.

The wire grid 27 may be a metallic grid with minute meshes formed on aglass substrate, for example. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the wire grid 27may allow the illuminating light L1 to enter from the first directionZ1. The light valve 21 may be disposed in a second direction Z2. Thepolarizer 25S and the imaging device 22 may be disposed in a thirddirection Z3. The projection lens 24 may be disposed in a fourthdirection Z4.

The wire grid 27 may serve as the polarization split element that splitsentering light into a first polarization component (for example, a Ppolarization component) and a second polarization component (forexample, an S polarization component) to output the components indifferent directions from each other. The wire grid 27 may selectivelyreflect the specific first polarization component, and selectivelytransmit the specific second polarization component. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 4, the wire grid 27 may output (reflect) most of a Ppolarization component Lp1 toward the second direction Z2, and output(transmit) most of an S polarization component Ls1 toward the thirddirection Z3. The P polarization component Lp1 may be included in theilluminating light L1 entering from the first direction Z1. Further, asillustrated in FIG. 4, the wire grid 27 may output (reflect) most of a Ppolarization component Lp3 toward the third direction Z3. The Ppolarization component Lp3 may be included in detection light L2entering from a direction opposite to the fourth direction Z4.

The light valve 21 may be a reflective liquid crystal device such as anLCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon) device. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the light valve 21 modulates, on the basis of image data, thefirst polarization component (for example, the P polarization componentLp1) entering from the second direction Z2 through the wire grid 27. Thefirst polarization component may be included in the illuminating lightL1. Further, the light valve 21 outputs the modulated light toward thefourth direction Z4 through the wire grid 27. As illustrated in FIG. 4,the light valve 21 may output, for example, the S polarization componentLs2, as the modulated light, a polarization state of which is rotatedfrom a polarization state at time of entering. It is to be noted that inthe light valve 21, it is possible to perform black display by returningthe entering P polarization component Lp1 back to the wire grid 27 in apolarization state as it is.

The projection lens 24 projects the modulated light from the light valve21 on a projection surface 30A of a screen 30. The modulated light mayenter the projection lens 24 from the fourth direction Z4 through thewire grid 27. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the projection lens 24allows the detection light L2 to enter from a direction opposite to atravelling direction of the modulated light. The projection lens 24 maybe a projection optical system for image projection, and also functionas an imaging optical system for object detection.

The imaging device 22 may include a solid-state imaging device such as aCMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) device and a CCD(Charge-Coupled Device). The imaging device 22 is disposed at a locationthat is optically conjugated with the light valve 21. In one morespecific example, when the light valve 21 is the reflective liquidcrystal device, arrangement may be made in such a manner that a displaysurface (liquid crystal surface) for creating images and an imagingsurface of the imaging device 22 are located at optically conjugatedpositions. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the imaging device 22 allows thedetection light L2 to enter from the third direction Z3 through theprojection lens 24 and the wire grid 27.

The polarizer 25S may serve as the polarization member that is one ofoptical members that reduces the second polarization component includedin the illuminating light L1. The polarizer 25S may be disposed betweenthe imaging device 22 and the wire grid 27. The polarizer 25S may removethe second polarization component (for example, the S polarizationcomponent) included in entering light. As illustrated in FIG. 4, thepolarizer 25S may remove at least the S polarization component Ls1included in the illuminating light L1 entering through the wire grid 27,as the second polarization component.

The image processor 26 may detect, on the basis of a result of imagingby the imaging device 22, a position P1 of a feature point of a pointingobject (physical object) 71 by making the position P1 correspond tocoordinates of a projection image V2 projected on the projection surface30A, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5. Examples of the pointingobject 71 may include a human finger or a pointer. As an example of thefeature point, a position of a human finger tip is illustrated in eachof FIGS. 2, 3, and 5. However, the position is not limited thereto, anda center of gravity of the human finger, a center of gravity of a humanhand, or any other position may be selectable as appropriate.

Each of FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrates a configuration assuming a case wherethe projection display apparatus is a short focus type. As illustratedin FIGS. 2 and 3, the projection display apparatus may include anear-infrared light projecting unit 40 under a main body 100. Theprojection surface 30A may be, for example, a flat floor surface. Thenear-infrared light projecting unit 40 may serve as a light source unitfor detection that emits near-infrared light for detection 41 asinvisible light for detection at a predetermined height h from theprojection surface 30A. The near-infrared light projecting unit 40 mayemit the near-infrared light for detection 41, to provide coverage of atleast a projection area 31 on the projection surface 30A with thenear-infrared light for detection 41 from the predetermined height h.The imaging device 22 may allow near-infrared scattered light La, as thedetection light, to enter through the projection lens 24 and the wiregrid 27. The near-infrared scattered light La may be diffused by thepointing object 71. It is to be noted that the near-infrared lightprojecting unit 40 may irradiate the projection surface 30A with thenear-infrared light for detection 41 having a thickness in a directionof the height h, as the invisible light for detection. In this case, thenear-infrared light for detection 41 and the projection surface 30A maynot be completely spaced apart at the predetermined height h. Forexample, a state may be permitted where part of light (light at theheight h of 0 (h=0)) in a direction of the thickness (the direction ofthe height h) of the near-infrared light for detection 41 touches(overlaps) the projection surface 30A.

In the projection display apparatus, the projection lens 24 may be anultrashort focus lens with a throw ratio of about 0.38 or less. Here,the throw ratio is expressed as L/H, where L is a distance from theprojection lens 24 to the projection surface 30A, and H is a width ofthe projection area, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

1.2 Operation and Workings 1.2.1 Basic Operation

In the projection display apparatus, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5,image information V1 formed on the light valve 21 may be projected onthe projection surface 30A of the screen 30 by the projection lens 24 toperform enlarged display of such an image as a projection image V2.Further, in the projection display apparatus, a position of an object onthe projection surface 30A, for example, the position P1 of the featurepoint of the pointing object (physical object) 71 may be detected withuse of the imaging device 22. Examples of the pointing object 71 mayinclude the human finger and the pointer. The imaging device 22 maycarry out imaging of an imaging area 32. The imaging area 32 may besubstantially a same area as the projection area 31 on the projectionsurface 30A.

In the projection display apparatus, laser light sources may be used inthe illuminating unit 1. This makes it possible to adjust thepolarization component of the illuminating light L1 to be dominant. Inone specific example, the first polarization component may be adjustedto 99% or more, and more preferably, to 99.5% or more. Here, as thedominant first polarization component, either the S polarizationcomponent Ls1 or the P polarization component Lp1 may be selectabledepending on characteristics of a polarization converter device.

On an assumption that the first polarization component is the Ppolarization component, and the second polarization component is the Spolarization component, the wire grid 27 may reflect most of the Ppolarization component, and transmit most of the S polarizationcomponent. Therefore, for example, 99.5% of the illuminating light L1may be assigned to the P polarization component Lp1 as the dominantpolarization component, and remaining 0.5% may be assigned to the Spolarization component Ls1. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, thewire grid 27 may reflect most of the dominant P polarization componentLp1 to output the reflection to the light valve 21. The P polarizationcomponent Lp1 entering the light valve 21 may be modulated (rotated) bythe light valve 21 to become the modulated light of the S polarizationcomponents Ls2, and thereafter, enter the projection lens 24 through thewire grid 27. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the S polarization component Ls2as the modulated light may be projected as the projection image V2 onthe projection surface 30A of the screen 30 through the projection lens24.

In the projection display apparatus, the imaging device 22 is disposedat a location that is optically conjugated with the light valve 21.Further, the projection lens 24 may be the projection optical system forimage projection, and also function as the imaging optical system forobject detection. This allows the imaging device 22 to perform theimaging of the imaging area 32 that is the same area as the projectionarea 31, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The light valve 21 and the imagingdevice 22 are located at conjugated positions, which makes it possibleto monitor the position P1 of the feature point of the pointing object71 such as the human finger or the pointer on the projection surface 30Aby overlaying the position P1 on the projection image V2 through theprojection lens 24. Further, for example, the image processor 26 mayperform image processing of a shape of the pointing object 71 to detectcoordinates of the position P1 of the feature point of the pointingobject 71, thereby allowing for pointing operation of the projectionimage V2. At this time, any coordinate position in the projection area31 may correspond to a coordinate position in the imaging area 32 on aone-to-one basis. Therefore, coordinates of a detected position P2 onthe side of the imaging device 22 may correspond to the coordinates ofthe position P1 of the feature point of the pointing object 71. It is tobe noted that the number of the pointing objects 71 may be two or more.For example, coordinates of finger tips of both hands may be detectable.The use of the position of the feature point of the pointing object 71detected in such a manner makes it possible to perform the operation inan intuitive manner as if a touch panel were built into the projectionimage V2 of the projector.

In the projection display apparatus, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, amembrane-like near-infrared light barrier may be provided over theprojection area 31 at a predetermined height h, to provide the coverageof the projection area 31 in an area direction and of two or threemillimeters in a height direction. The height h may be within a rangeof, for example, several millimeters to dozens of millimeters from theprojection surface 30A. As a result, because the projection surface 30Ais generally flat, if there is no shielding object or no pointing object71 such as the finger and a pointing rod, a membrane of emittednear-infrared light may travel straight ahead without being shielded onthe way. Therefore, no image of such a membrane is formed on the imagingdevice 22 that is monitoring the projection surface 30A. In such astate, if the finger or any other object is moved closer to a positionat a distance of several millimeters from the projection surface 30Aprovided with the near-infrared light barrier, or operation of, forexample, touching the projection surface 30A is performed, light of thebarrier is shielded by the finger to be diffused at that point. Thelight hitting the finger to be diffused travels toward every direction,and part of the light returns to an aperture of the projection lens 24.Such return light passes through the projection lens 24, and isreflected by the wire grid 27 to reach the imaging device 22. At thistime, since the light valve 21 and the imaging device 22 that createimages are disposed at conjugated positions, a bright spot diffusionpoint arising as a dot on the projection surface 30A forms an image onthe imaging device 22, and forms the image at a position correspondingto the projected image in a one-to-one relationship. This allows forposition detection. Further, in a case of the ultrashort focus type,projection light passes in the vicinity of the projection surface 30A,and a part of an operator's body is unlikely to shield the projectionlight. This leads to an advantage of enhanced visibility of a screenduring operation.

1.2.2 Workings of Polarizer

Next, description is provided on workings of the polarizer 25S withreference to FIG. 4. The detection light L2 entering the wire grid 27may include an S polarization component Ls3 and the P polarizationcomponent Lp3 as polarization components. The wire grid 27 may reflectmost of the P polarization component Lp3 in the third direction Z3.Assuming that the polarizer 25S removes the S polarization component,almost all of the reflected P polarization component Lp3 may reach theimaging device 22. Further, out of the illuminating light L1 enteringthe wire grid 27, the S polarization component Ls1 may be outputtedtoward the third direction Z3. The S polarization component Ls1 becomesa noise component that may affect the detection light L2. If the Spolarization component Ls1 enters the imaging device 22, an S/N ratioduring detection may be reduced, leading to degradation of detectionaccuracy. Disposing the polarizer 25S to remove the S polarizationcomponent Ls1 makes it possible to increase the S/N ratio and to improvethe detection accuracy.

As described above, it is, ideally, possible to make only the detectionlight L2 enter the imaging device 22 in such a manner that the Ppolarization component Lp1 of the illuminating light L1 may be reflectedby the wire grid 27 in a direction different from the imaging device 22,and the S polarization component Ls1 may be removed by the polarizer25S. However, there is possibility that an unwanted noise componentincluded in the illuminating light L1 may enter the imaging device 22,depending on an entering angle of light that enters the wire grid 27 oroptical performance of the wire grid 27 and the polarizer 25S.Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 6 to be described below, aconfiguration may be desirable in which the noise component that mayaffect the detection light may be reduced inside the illuminating unit1.

1.2.3 Regarding Reduction of Noise Component Arising Inside IlluminatingUnit

In the projection display apparatus, the projection lens 24 may becommunalized by disposing the light valve 21 for image display and theimaging device 22 for object detection at optically conjugatedpositions. Thus, the whole optical system is reduced in size. Further,the infrared light for detection may be sent from a different opticalsystem from the light source for image display. This allows forhigh-accuracy object detection that reduces a load of image processing.However, in an event of generation of light serving as the noisecomponent that may degrade the detection accuracy on the light sourceside for image display, there is likelihood that the noise component mayenter the imaging device 22 to cause a failure in object detection orsignificant degradation in the detection accuracy. In this case, forexample, it may be considered to dispose a dedicated part such as afilter that cuts the light serving as the noise component on an opticalpath between the imaging device 22 and the illuminating unit 1. Butaddition of the dedicated part such as the filter causes an additionalcount of parts or an increase in size of the optical system, and doesnot provide any fundamental solution to the characteristics in theilluminating unit 1.

Accordingly, in one preferable example, one or more of the plurality ofoptical members for illumination inside the illuminating unit 1 may haveoptical property of reducing the noise component that arises inside theilluminating unit 1. As an example, description is provided on anexample case where in the illuminating unit 1, the red laser 11R emitsweak infrared light L_(IR) with a wavelength of, for example, about 800nm as the noise component in addition to red light L_(R) with awavelength of, for example, about 640 nm. In this case, for example, thesecond dichroic prism 132 may have wavelength property of transmittinglight of a blue (B) band, a green band (G), and an infrared (IR) band,and reflecting light of a red (R) band, as illustrated in FIG. 7. It isto be noted that in FIG. 7, a horizontal scale denotes a wavelength, anda vertical scale denotes reflectance. As a result, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the second dichroic prism 132 may transmit the blue and greenlight guided by the first dichroic prism 131, and reflect the red lightL_(R) guided by the third coupling lens 12R. At the same time, thesecond dichroic prism 132 may transmit the infrared light L_(IR) guidedby the third coupling lens 12R. The red light L_(R) emitted by the redlaser 11R may be reflected by the second dichroic prism 132, and guidedas the illuminating light L1 toward the light valve 21, the projectionlens 24, and the projection surface 30A to form an image. Meanwhile, theinfrared light L_(IR) may pass through the second dichroic prism 132,and be guided toward a direction deviated from the optical path of theilluminating light L1. This keeps the infrared light L_(IR) from beingguided to the imaging device 22, which allows for reduction in the noisecomponent that may affect the detection light L2.

If the infrared light L_(IR) serving as the noise component is notreduced, a large quantity of the noise component that may affect adetection signal may enter the imaging device 22, as illustrated in FIG.8. On the contrary, when the noise component is reduced by the seconddichroic prism 132, the noise component that may affect the detectionsignal is reduced as illustrated in FIG. 9. This allows forcharacteristics equivalent to those obtained by inserting an infraredlight cutoff filter in an illuminating optical system, thereby improvingthe detection accuracy. It is to be noted that in each of FIGS. 8 and 9,a horizontal scale denotes a wavelength, and a vertical scale denotes aquantity of entering light.

It is to be noted that an absorber 200 may be provided, as illustratedin FIG. 6, on an optical path of the infrared light L_(IR) that haspassed through the second dichroic prism 132. The absorber 200 mayabsorb the infrared light L_(IR). In another alternative example, aninner wall of a housing that accommodates the illuminating unit 1 may beprocessed so as to absorb the infrared light L_(IR). This makes itpossible to prevent the infrared light L_(IR) from, for example, beingreflected by the inner wall of the housing and returning to the opticalpath of the illuminating light L1.

1.3 Effects

As described, in this embodiment, the second dichroic prism 132 mayserve as one of the optical members for illumination, and reduce thenoise component that affects the detection light and arises inside theilluminating unit 1. Hence, it is possible to reduce the noise componentthat is unwanted during the object detection, thereby allowing forimproved accuracy of the object detection. Further, it is possible toprovide a small-sized and inexpensive configuration by communalizing theeffect of reducing the noise component with the combination of theoptical paths inside the illuminating unit 1. This make it possible toprovide a small-sized, high-definition, and interactive laser projectorthat is installable on a small and lightweight electronic apparatus.

It is to be noted that effects described herein are merely exemplifiedand not limitative, and effects of the disclosure may be other effectsor may further include other effects. The same is true for any otherexample embodiments and modification examples to be described below.

2. MODIFICATION EXAMPLES 2.1 First Modification Example

Each of FIGS. 1 and 4 illustrates a configuration example with use ofthe wire grid 27 as the polarization split element. In an alternativeconfiguration, however, a polarizing beam splitter 23 may be usedinstead of the wire grid 27, as in a first modification exampleillustrated in FIG. 10. Further, in the first modification example, apolarizer 25 that removes the P polarization component may be providedinstead of the polarizer 25S that removes the S polarization component.

The polarizing beam splitter 23 may adopt a configuration of laminationof prisms each of which is coated with a multi-layer film, or may be abeam splitter similar to prisms that sandwich an element havingpolarizing property.

The wire grid 27 in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4 may reflectthe P polarization component that serves as the first polarizationcomponent, and transmit the S polarization component that serves as thesecond polarization component. However, the polarizing beam splitter 23may have characteristics reverse to such characteristics.

The polarizing beam splitter 23 may have four optical surfaces. Here,description is given, with two surfaces facing in a horizontal directionin FIG. 10 being defined as a first optical surface and a third opticalsurface, and two surfaces facing in a vertical direction being definedas a second optical surface and a fourth optical surface. As illustratedin FIG. 10, the illuminating light L1 may enter the first opticalsurface of the polarizing beam splitter 23 from the first direction Z1.The light valve 21 may be disposed in the second direction Z2 relativeto the second optical surface of the polarizing beam splitter 23. Thepolarizer 25 and the imaging device 22 may be disposed in the thirddirection Z3 relative to the third optical surface of the polarizingbeam splitter 23. The projection lens 24 may be disposed in the fourthdirection Z4 relative to the fourth optical surface of the polarizingbeam splitter 23.

The polarizing beam splitter 23 may be the polarization split elementthat splits entering light into the first polarization component (forexample, the S polarization component) and the second polarizationcomponent (for example, the P polarization component) to output suchcomponents in different directions from each other. The polarizing beamsplitter 23 may selectively reflect the specific first polarizationcomponent, and selectively transmit the specific second polarizationcomponent. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the polarizing beamsplitter 23 may output (reflect), toward the second direction Z2, almostall of the S polarization component Ls1 included in the illuminatinglight L1 entering from the first direction Z1, and output (transmit),toward the third direction Z3, almost all of the P polarizationcomponent Lp1. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the polarizing beamsplitter 23 may output (reflect), toward the third direction Z3, almostall of the S polarization component Ls3 included in the detection lightL2 entering from a direction opposite to the fourth direction Z4.

On an assumption that the first polarization component is the Spolarization component, and the second polarization component is the Ppolarization component, the polarizing beam splitter 23 may reflect mostof the S polarization component, and transmit most of the P polarizationcomponent. Therefore, for example, 99.5% of the illuminating light L1may be assigned to the S polarization component Ls1 as the dominantpolarization component, and remaining 0.5% may be assigned to the Ppolarization component Lp1. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the polarizingbeam splitter 23 may reflect almost all of the dominant S polarizationcomponent Ls1 to output the reflection to the light valve 21. The Spolarization component Ls1 entering the light valve 21 may be modulated(rotated) by the light valve 21 to become the modulated light of the Ppolarization component Lp2, and thereafter, enter the projection lens 24through the polarizing beam splitter 23. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the Ppolarization component Lp2 as the modulated light may be projected asthe projection image V2 on the projection surface 30A of the screen 30through the projection lens 24.

Meanwhile, the detection light L2 entering the polarizing beam splitter23 may include the S polarization component Ls3 and the P polarizationcomponent Lp3 as the polarization components. The polarizing beamsplitter 23 may reflect almost all of the S polarization component Ls3in the third direction Z3. Assuming that the polarizer 25 removes the Ppolarization component, almost all of the S polarization component Ls3may reach the imaging device 22. Further, out of the illuminating lightL1 entering the polarizing beam splitter 23, the P polarizationcomponent Lp1 may be outputted toward the third direction Z3. The Ppolarization component Lp1 may become the noise component that mayaffect the detection light L2. If the P polarization component Lp1enters the imaging device 22, the S/N ratio during detection may bereduced, leading to the degradation of the detection accuracy. Disposingthe polarizer 25 to remove the P polarization component Lp1 makes itpossible to increase the S/N ratio and improve the detection accuracy.

As described above, it is, ideally, possible to make only the detectionlight L2 enter the imaging device 22 in such a manner that the Spolarization component Ls1 of the illuminating light L1 may be reflectedby the polarizing beam splitter 23 in a direction different from theimaging device 22, and the P polarization component Lp1 may be removedby the polarizer 25. However, there is possibility that the unwantednoise component included in the illuminating light L1 may enter theimaging device 22, depending on an entering angle of light that entersthe polarizing beam splitter 23 or optical performance of the polarizingbeam splitter 23 and the polarizer 25. Accordingly, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the configuration may be desirable in which the noise componentthat may affect the detection light may be reduced inside theilluminating unit 1.

2.2 Second Modification Example

FIG. 11 illustrates a second example where the noise component isreduced, as an illuminating unit 1A according to a second modificationexample. FIG. 11 illustrates an example case where the green laser 11Gemits the weak infrared light L_(IR) with the wavelength of, forexample, about 800 nm in addition to green light L_(G) with a wavelengthof, for example, about 520 nm. In this case, for example, the seconddichroic prism 132 may have wavelength property of transmitting bluelight L_(B) and the green light L_(G), reflecting the red light L_(R),and reflecting the infrared light L_(IR), as illustrated in FIG. 11. Asa result, the infrared light L_(IR) may be guided toward the directiondeviated from the optical path of the illuminating light L1. This keepsthe infrared light L_(IR) from being guided to the imaging device 22,which allows for the reduction in the noise component that may affectthe detection light L2.

It is to be noted that the absorber 200 may be provided, as illustratedin FIG. 11, on the optical path of the infrared light L_(IR) that isguided toward the direction deviated from the optical path of theilluminating light L1. The absorber 200 may absorb the infrared lightL_(IR). In another alternative example, the inner wall of the housingthat accommodates the illuminating unit 1 may be processed so as toabsorb the infrared light L_(IR). This makes it possible to prevent theinfrared light L_(IR) from, for example, being reflected by the innerwall of the housing and returning to the optical path of theilluminating light L1. This may also apply to other modificationexamples to be described below.

2.3 Third Modification Example

FIG. 12 illustrates a third example where the noise component isreduced, as an illuminating unit 1B according to a third modificationexample. As with the example in FIG. 11, FIG. 12 illustrates an examplecase where the green laser 11G emits the weak infrared light L_(IR) withthe wavelength of, for example, about 800 nm in addition to the greenlight L_(G) with the wavelength of, for example, about 520 nm. In thiscase, for example, the first dichroic prism 131 may have wavelengthproperty of transmitting the blue light L_(B), reflecting the greenlight L_(G), and transmitting the infrared light L_(IR), as illustratedin FIG. 12. As a result, the infrared light L_(IR) may be guided towardthe direction deviated from the optical path of the illuminating lightL1. This keeps the infrared light L_(IR) from being guided to theimaging device 22, which allows for the reduction in the noise componentthat may affect the detection light L2.

2.4 Fourth Modification Example

FIG. 13 illustrates a fourth example where the noise component isreduced, as an illuminating unit 1C according to a fourth modificationexample. FIG. 13 illustrates an example case where the blue laser 11Bemits the weak infrared light L_(IR) with the wavelength of, forexample, about 800 nm in addition to the blue light L_(B) with thewavelength of, for example, about 450 nm. In this case, for example, thefirst dichroic prism 131 may have wavelength property of transmittingthe blue light L_(B), reflecting the green light L_(G), and reflectingthe infrared light L_(IR), as illustrated in FIG. 13. As a result, theinfrared light L_(IR) may be guided toward the direction deviated fromthe optical path of the illuminating light L1. This keeps the infraredlight L_(IR) from being guided to the imaging device 22, which allowsfor the reduction in the noise component that may affect the detectionlight L2.

As an alternative configuration, although not illustrated, for example,the second dichroic prism 132 may have property of transmitting the bluelight L_(B), transmitting the green light L_(G), reflecting the redlight L_(R), and reflecting the infrared light L_(IR).

2.5 Fifth Modification Example

FIG. 14 illustrates a fifth example where the noise component isreduced, as an illuminating unit 1D according to a fifth modificationexample. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the mirror 18 that bends the opticalpath may have property of reflecting the blue light L_(B), the greenlight L_(G), and the red light L_(R), and transmitting the infraredlight L_(IR). As a result, even if any of the light sources of the bluelaser 11B, the green laser 11G, and the red laser 11R emits the infraredlight L_(IR), it is possible to reduce the noise component that mayaffect the detection light L2.

Allowing the mirror 18 to have the property of reducing the infraredlight L_(IR) also makes it possible to deal with a case where an opticalmember other than the light sources emits the infrared light L_(IR). Forexample, even if the infrared light L_(IR) is generated because amulti-layer film of the second dichroic prism 132 excites the red light,the infrared light L_(IR) may be guided by the mirror 18 toward thedirection deviated from the optical path of the illuminating light L1.This allows for the reduction in the noise component that may affect thedetection light L2.

2.6 Sixth Modification Example

FIG. 15 illustrates a configuration example of an illuminating unit 1Eaccording to a sixth modification example. As illustrated in FIG. 15, inone alternative configuration, the illuminating unit 1E may include asingle light source 11 and a coupling lens 12 instead of the blue laser11B, the green laser 11G, and the red laser 11R. In this case, the firstdichroic prism 131 and the second dichroic prism 132 may be omitted.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, the light source 11 mayhave a configuration including a plurality of chips 211A each of whichemits different color light. For example, the light source 11 mayinclude the three chips 211A that emit the red light L_(R), the greenlight L_(G), and the blue light L_(B). In this case, as illustrated inFIG. 15, the mirror 18 may have property of reflecting the blue lightL_(B), the green light L_(G), and the red light L_(R), and transmittingthe infrared light L_(IR). As a result, even if the weak infrared lightL_(IR) is emitted from the light source 11, it is possible to reduce theinfrared light L_(IR) serving as the noise component that may affect thedetection light L2.

Further, the projection display apparatus may perform monochrome imagedisplay, for example. In this case, for example, as illustrated in FIGS.18 to 20, the light source 11 may have a configuration including thesingle chip 211A that emits single color light. Also in this case, theweak infrared light L_(IR) emitted from the light source 11 may beguided by the mirror 18 toward the direction deviated from the opticalpath of the illuminating light L1, as illustrated in FIG. 15. It is tobe noted that in one alternative configuration, all of the plurality ofchips 211A may emit the same color light, in the configurationsillustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17.

Each of the configuration examples illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, orFIGS. 18 to 20 represents a form of can type in which a solid-statelight-emitting device 211 is housed in an internal space surrounded by astem 213 and a cap 214. The solid-state light-emitting device 211 mayinclude the single or the plurality of edge-emitting type chips 211A. Itis to be noted that FIG. 17 illustrates a configuration of the lightsource 11 illustrated in FIG. 16 as viewed from light-output-surfaceside. FIG. 19 illustrates a configuration of the light source 11illustrated in FIG. 18 as viewed from the light-output-surface side.FIG. 20 illustrates another configuration example of the light source 11illustrated in FIG. 18.

The chip 211A may include, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED), anorganic EL light-emitting device (OLED), or a laser diode (LD).

The stem 213 may constitute a package of the light source 11 togetherwith the cap 214, and may include, for example, a support substrate213A, an outer frame substrate 213B, and a plurality of connectionterminals 213C. The support substrate 213A may support a sub-mount 215.The outer frame substrate 213B may be disposed on a back side of thesupport substrate 213A.

The sub-mount 215 may be made of a material having conductivity and heatdissipation performance. Each of the support substrate 213A and theouter frame substrate 213B may have a configuration in which one or aplurality of insulating through-holes and one or a plurality ofconductive through-holes are formed on a base member having theconductivity and the heat dissipation performance. The support substrate213A and the outer frame substrate 213B may take disk shapes, and bestacked with their central axes (not illustrated) aligned with eachother. A diameter of the outer frame substrate 213B may be larger than adiameter of the support substrate 213A. An outer edge of the outer framesubstrate 213B may be an annular flange that juts radially from thecentral axis of the outer frame substrate 213B in a plane where thecentral axis of the outer frame substrate 213B serves as a normal line.The flange may have a function of specifying a reference position infitting the cap 214 into the support substrate 213A in a manufacturingprocess.

The plurality of connection terminals 213C may run through at least thesupport substrate 213A. Terminals (hereinafter referred to as “terminalsα” for descriptive purpose) excluding one or more terminals among theplurality of connection terminals 213C may be electrically coupled, on aone-to-one basis, to electrodes (not illustrated) of the individualchips 211A. For example, the terminals α may protrude long on side onwhich the outer frame substrate 213B is disposed, and protrude short onside on which the support substrate 213A is disposed. Further, terminals(hereinafter referred to as “terminals β” for descriptive purpose)excluding the above-described terminals α among the plurality ofconnection terminals 213C may be electrically coupled to remainingelectrodes (not illustrated) of all the chips 211A. For example, theterminals β may protrude long on the side on which the outer framesubstrate 213B is disposed. End edges of the terminals β on the side onwhich the support substrate 213A is disposed may be embedded in thesupport substrate 213A. Out of each of the connection terminals 213C,the part protruding long on the side on which the outer frame substrate213B is disposed may serve as a part to be fitted into, for example, asubstrate. Moreover, out of each of the plurality of connectionterminals 213C, the part protruding short on the side on which thesupport substrate 213A is disposed may serve as a part to beelectrically coupled, on the one-to-one basis, to the individual chips211A through a wire 216. Out of each of the plurality of connectionterminals 213C, the part embedded in the support substrate 213A mayserve as, for example, a part to be electrically coupled to all thechips 211A through the support substrate 213A and the sub-mount 215. Theterminals α may be supported by the insulating through-holes provided inthe support substrate 213A and the outer frame substrate 213B, andinsulated and isolated from the support substrate 213A and the outerframe substrate 213B by the through-holes. Further, the individualterminals α may be insulated and isolated from one another by theabove-described insulating members. Moreover, the terminals β may besupported by the conductive through-holes provided in the supportsubstrate 213A and the outer frame substrate 213B, and electricallycoupled to the through-holes.

The cap 214 may seal the solid-state light-emitting device 211. The cap214 may include, for example, a tubular part 214A provided withapertures on a top end and a bottom end. The bottom end of the tubularpart 214A may be, for example, in contact with a side surface of thesupport substrate 213A. The solid-state light-emitting device 211 may belocated in an internal space of the tubular part 214A. The cap 214 mayhave a light transmission window 214B that is disposed to block theaperture on top-end side of the tubular part 214A. The lighttransmission window 214B may be disposed at a position facing alight-output surface of the solid-state light-emitting device 211, andhave a function of transmitting light outputted from the solid-statelight-emitting device 211.

As described above, in a case where the chip 211A includes a device ofedge-emitting type, the solid-state light-emitting device 211 may emitlight from a light-output region that includes a single or a pluralityof dot-like emitting spots, or a single or a plurality of non-dot-likeemitting spots. The solid-state light-emitting device 211 may include,for example, a single chip 211A that emits light in a predeterminedwavelength band. Alternatively, the solid-state light-emitting device211 may include the plurality of chips 211A that emit light in a samewavelength band. In another alternative, the solid-state light-emittingdevice 211 may include the plurality of chips 211A that emit light indifferent wavelength bands. When the solid-state light-emitting device211 includes the plurality of chips 211A, the chips 211A may be disposedin line in a horizontal direction, for example, as illustrated in FIGS.16 and 17.

When the solid-state light-emitting device 211 includes the single chip211A, a size (W_(V)×W_(H)) specified as the solid-state light-emittingdevice 211 may be equal to a size (W_(V1)×W_(H1)) of the single chip211A, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 19. However, for example, asillustrated in FIG. 20, when the solid-state light-emitting device 211adopts a monolithic structure, the size may be as follows. That is, inthe example illustrated in FIG. 20, the size (W_(V)×W_(H)) specified asthe solid-state light-emitting device 211 may be W_(V1)×2W_(H1) or more.In contrast, when the solid-state light-emitting device 211 includes theplurality of chips 211A, the size specified as the solid-statelight-emitting device 211 may be equal to a size measured with all thechips 211A lumped together, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 17. Whenthe plurality of chips 211A are disposed in line in the horizontaldirection, the size (W_(V)×W_(H)) specified as the solid-statelight-emitting device 211 may be W_(V1)×3W_(H1) or more in the exampleof FIG. 17.

2.7 Seventh Modification Example

In the forgoing, the description is provided on examples where theinfrared light L_(IR) that may serve as the noise component is reducedby reflection or transmission as the optical property of the opticalmembers for illumination. However, one or two or more of the pluralityof optical members for illumination may have property of absorbing theinfrared light L_(IR). For example, one or two or more of the couplinglenses 12B, 12G, and 12R, the condenser lenses 161 to 164, the fly-eyelenses 151 and 152, and the driving optical element 14 may have theproperty of transmitting the blue light L_(B), the green light L_(G),and the red light L_(R), and absorbing the infrared light L_(IR).Further, one or two or more of the mirror 18, the first dichroic prism131, and the second dichroic prism 132 may have the property ofabsorbing the infrared light L_(IR).

Alternatively, all of the plurality of optical members for illuminationmay have the property of reducing the infrared light L_(IR)byreflection, transmission, or absorption.

Even if an order of combining the optical paths of the blue laser 11B,the green laser 11G, and the red laser 11R is changed, various exampleembodiments as described above allow for the reduction in the infraredlight L_(IR).

2.8 Other Modification Examples

In the illuminating unit 1 in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1,either the first fly-eye lens 151 or the second fly-eye lens 152 may beprovided. When only the second fly-eye lens 152 is provided, the firstcondenser lens 161 and the second condenser lens 162 become unnecessary.When only the first fly-eye lens 151 is provided, the third condenserlens 163 and the fourth condenser lens 164 become unnecessary.

Further, when sufficiently optimal polarization characteristics areobtained, the polarizer 25S used in the configuration illustrated inFIG. 1 may be omitted.

Moreover, the technology may be also applicable to a projector of adigital mirror device method.

In addition, the infrared-band light is taken as an example of thedetection light L2 and the noise component thereof. However,ultraviolet-band light may exemplify the detection light L2 and thenoise component thereof.

3. OTHER EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The technology according to the disclosure is not limited to theabove-described example embodiments and modification examples, butvarious modifications may be made.

For example, the technology may be configured as follows.

(1)

A projection display apparatus, including:

a light valve that modulates illuminating light on a basis of image datato output the modulated light;

an illuminating unit including a light source, and a plurality ofoptical members for illumination that generate the illuminating light ona basis of light from the light source to guide the illuminating lightto the light valve;

a projection lens that projects the modulated light from the light valveon a projection surface, and allows detection light to enter from adirection opposite to a travelling direction of the modulated light; and

an imaging device that is disposed at a location optically conjugatedwith the light valve, and allows the detection light to enter throughthe projection lens,

one or more of the plurality of optical members for illumination havingoptical property of reducing a noise component, the noise componentaffecting the detection light and arising inside the illuminating unit.

(2)

The projection display apparatus according to (1), wherein the one ormore of the plurality of optical members for illumination have theoptical property of reducing the noise component by absorption,reflection, or transmission.

(3)

The projection display apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein

the light source includes a plurality of light sources that are disposedon different optical paths,

the plurality of optical members for illumination include an opticalpath combination element that combines two or more of the optical pathson which respective two or more light sources of the plurality of lightsources are disposed, and

the optical path combination element has the optical property ofreducing the noise component.

(4)

The projection display apparatus according to (3), wherein the opticalpath combination element has optical property of causing reflection ortransmission of the noise component in a direction deviated from anoptical path of the illuminating light.

(5)

The projection display apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4),wherein

the plurality of optical members for illumination include a mirror thatbends an optical path of the illuminating light, and

the mirror has the optical property of reducing the noise component.

(6)

The projection display apparatus according to (5), wherein the mirrorhas optical property of transmitting the noise component in a directiondeviated from the optical path of the illuminating light.

(7)

The projection display apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6),further including an absorber that is disposed in a direction deviatedfrom an optical path of the illuminating light and absorbs the noisecomponent, wherein

the one or more of the plurality of optical members for illuminationhave optical property of guiding the noise component in the directiondeviated from the optical path of the illuminating light by reflectionor transmission.

(8)

The projection display apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7),wherein the noise component includes light of an invisible light band.

(9)

The projection display apparatus according to any one of (1) to (8),wherein the noise component includes light of an infrared light band.

(10)

The projection display apparatus according to any one of (1) to (9),wherein the noise component includes light of a same wavelength band, asthe detection light.

(11)

The projection display apparatus according to any one of (1) to (10),wherein the noise component is a component included in the lightgenerated from the light source.

(12)

The projection display apparatus according to any one of (1) to (11),further including an image processor that detects, on a basis of aresult of imaging by the imaging device, a position of a feature pointof an object on the projection surface or in vicinity of the projectionsurface by making the position correspond to coordinates of a projectionimage projected on the projection surface.

(13)

The projection display apparatus according to any one of (1) to (12),further including a light source unit for detection that emits invisiblelight for detection at a predetermined height from the projectionsurface, wherein

the imaging device allows the invisible light diffused by hitting anobject, as the detection light, to enter through the projection lens.

(14)

The projection display apparatus according to (13), wherein the lightsource unit for detection emits infrared light as the invisible lightfor detection.

(15)

The projection display apparatus according to any one of (1) to (14),further including a light source unit for detection that emits invisiblelight for detection, to provide coverage of at least a projection areaon the projection surface with the invisible light for detection from apredetermined height, the projection area being an area projected by theprojection lens, wherein

the imaging device allows the invisible light diffused by hitting anobject in vicinity of the projection area, as the detection light, toenter through the projection lens.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. A projection display apparatus, comprising: an illuminating unit; anoptical unit; a projection unit; and wherein the optical unit includes alight valve and an imaging device that is disposed at a locationoptically conjugated with the light valve.
 2. The projection displayapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the illuminating unit includes alight source.
 3. The projection display apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the optical unit includes a plurality of optical members thatguide a light from the light source to the light valve.
 4. Theprojection display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lightvalve modulates a light on a basis of image data to output the modulatedlight.
 5. The projection display apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe projection unit includes a projection lens that projects the lightfrom the light valve to a projection surface, and allows detection lightto enter from a direction opposite to a travelling direction of themodulated light.
 6. The projection display apparatus according to claim1, wherein the imaging device detects the light from the projection unitand allows the detection light to enter through the projection lens, oneor more of the plurality of optical members.
 7. The projection displayapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the one or more of the pluralityof optical members have the optical property of reducing a noisecomponent by absorption, reflection, or transmission.
 8. The projectiondisplay apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the light sourceincludes a plurality of light sources that are disposed on differentoptical paths, the plurality of optical members include an optical pathcombination element that combines two or more of the optical paths onwhich respective two or more light sources of the plurality of lightsources are disposed, and the optical path combination element has theoptical property of reducing a noise component.
 9. The projectiondisplay apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the optical pathcombination element has optical property of causing reflection ortransmission of the noise component in a direction deviated from anoptical path of the light.
 10. The projection display apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the plurality of optical members include amirror that bends an optical path of the light, and the mirror has theoptical property of reducing a noise component.
 11. The projectiondisplay apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the mirror has opticalproperty of transmitting the noise component in a direction deviatedfrom the optical path of the light.
 12. The projection display apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising an absorber that is disposed ina direction deviated from an optical path of the light and absorbs anoise component, wherein the one or more of the plurality of opticalmembers have optical property of guiding the noise component in thedirection deviated from the optical path of the illuminating light byreflection or transmission.
 13. The projection display apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein the noise component includes light of aninvisible light band.
 14. The projection display apparatus according toclaim 12, wherein the noise component includes light of an infraredlight band.
 15. The projection display apparatus according to claim 12,wherein the noise component includes light of a same wavelength band, asthe detection light.
 16. The projection display apparatus according toclaim 12, wherein the noise component is a component included in thelight generated from the light source.
 17. The projection displayapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image processorthat detects, on a basis of a result of imaging by the imaging device, aposition of a feature point of an object on the projection surface or invicinity of the projection surface by making the position correspond tocoordinates of a projection image projected on the projection surface.18. The projection display apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a light source unit emits invisible light at a predeterminedheight from a projection surface, wherein the imaging device allows theinvisible light diffused by hitting an object, as the detection light,to enter through the projection lens.
 19. The projection displayapparatus according to claim 18, wherein the light source unit fordetection emits infrared light as the invisible light for detection. 20.The projection display apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a light source unit emits invisible light, to providecoverage of at least a projection area on the projection surface withthe invisible light for detection from a predetermined height, theprojection area being an area projected by the projection lens, whereinthe imaging device allows the invisible light diffused by hitting anobject in vicinity of the projection area, as the detection light, toenter through the projection lens.